Automatic carriage return mechanism for embossing machines



May 2, 1961 P. ,1. BEATTY 2,

AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed June 8, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

PAUL J. BEATTY P. J. BEATTY May 2, 1961 AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1959 A IPO 0.

INVENTOR. BY PAUL J. BEATTY M M FEW/ 5.

May 2, 1961 P. J. BEATTY 2,982,390 AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed June 8, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet :5

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INVENTOR. PAuL I. BEAT-FY AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed June 8, 1959 P. J. BEATTY May 2, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I QOOOO' IN V EN TOR.

in J May 2, 1961 P. J. BEAT-TY AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed June 8, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nw mQ INVENTOR.

PAUL J. BEATTY IIZIE-FF P. J. BEATTY 2,982,390

AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES May 2, 1961' 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 8, 1959 INVENTOR. PAUL. J; BEATTY AUTOMATIC CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Paul J. Beatty, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Addressagraph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 8, 1959, Ser- No. 818,932

8 Claims. (Cl. 197-6.6)-

This invention relates to embossing machines and par lected and actuated in response to operation of the keys of the keyboard. Other operations directly controlled from the keyboard include spacing between individual characters, back spacing, and the like. Keyboard-operat- United States Patent 2,982,390 Patented May 2, 1961 bossing station, and which-is not affected in its operation by changes in the starting position. J

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made ed machines have been constructed which include a plurality of independent escapement racks that may be simply and conveniently substituted for each other to provide any combination of a number of different line-spacings and character-spacings in a versatile manner. Such machines may also generally incorporate a tabulating mechanism and a plate-rolling apparatus actuated automatically by keyboard controls. Thus, upon completion of an embossing operation an operator has only to depress a key to have an embossed article transferred from an embossing station to a rolling station and held there during porating the above noted automatic features, still require manual return of the carriage to an initial starting position subsequent to each line embossing operation, and

subsequent to each plate-rolling operation; Attempts to i provide an automatic carriage return for such embossing machines have been complicated by the use of variable return positioningstops for providing varying margins and varying line lengths for different type faces or different embossed articles. Provision of an automatic carriage returnis further complicated by the plate-rolling operation which requires complete removal of the article being embossed from the embossing station.

It is a primary object of the invention, therefore, to return an embossing machine carriage automatically to astarting position for each line embossing operation irrespective of variations in the location of such a starting position. i

It is another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated, keyboard-controlled carriage return foran embossing machine. 1 V p It is another. object of this invention to. provide an embossing machine with carriage return automatically actuated upon completion of a plate-rolling'operation.

Itis another .object of this invention to provide an automatic carriage return device which may be readily as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims. v

" In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front perspective view of an embossing machine with the covers removed, which includes an automatic carriage return constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the machine illustrated in Fig. Land taken from the rear and side of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partially cut-away plan view of the embossing machine carriage;

m Fig. 5 is an end elevation view of a detail of the carriage and is taken in the direction of the arrows 55 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevation view of the embossing machine carriage;

Fig. 7 is a. sectional view taken approximately along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6 and shows the line-space escapement mechanism of the embossing machine carriage;

Fig. 8 is a, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the keyboard of the embossing machine showing details of a carriage return switch mounting; and

Fig. 9'is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for the automatic carriage return.

General description and operation The embossing machine 20 illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, includes an embossing station 21 at which a rotarydie head 22 is located. In many respects, the embossing machine is conventional in form and is substantially similar inconstruction and operation to the embossing machine described in Patent No. 1,831,103 to Duncan et al., dated November 10, 1931. The die head 22 is supported by a suitable frame 24,- the frame including an elongated frame member 23 which extends across the front portion of the embossing machine. The die head includes a plurality of individual character punches and dies and a suitable actuating mechanism for driving the punches and dies toward each other in an embossing operation to emboss a printing plate or like device 26 (Fig. 4) when the latter is properly positioned in the embossing station 21 of the machine. as the present invention is not concerned with ,the construction or operation of the die head 22, the punches ordies or the actuating mechanism for the die head,

Inasmuch 1.7 no detailed description of this part of the embossing machine is necessary herein. Rather, it should be understood that any desired operating mechanism for the punches and dies may be used in the embossing machine together with any suitable diehead structure.

The embossing machine 2tl' further' includes a carriage 27 which is mounted upon the'frame member or support rail 23 and which is slidably movable along the support rail. The carriage 27 includes a first carriage member 28 mounted upon the supportrail 23 as described more fully hereinafter arid 'a second carriage member 29 which is mountedupon the first carriage member 28. The second carriage member 29 is'slidably movable with respect to the'first carriage-"member in a direction substantially normal to the-direction of movement of the first carriage member 28"'along the'support rail 23. Thus, the carriage 27 effectively provides for movement in two co-ordinate directions withrespect to the embossing station 21 of the machine 20.

A work holder 30 is mounted upon the second carriage member 29 for movement therewith. It is the work holder 30 which grips and supports the printing plate 26 or other similar device and positions'that device in the embossing station 21 for an embossing operation. The work holder 30 is movable between an embossing position in which the printing plate 26 is effectively located in the embossing station 21 of the machine, and a loading position in which a printing plate or other similar device may be inserted in or removed from the work holder. The work holder 30 includes a pair of jaw members 31 and 32 which are mounted upon a work holder shaft 33, the shaft being journaled in the second carriage member 29. The work holder further includes an operating handle 34 mechanically connected to the shaft 33; the operating handle 34 is utilized to actuate the shaft 33 and to move the work holder from its normal or embossing position to its loading position.

The carriage 27 is controlled in its operation by two separate escapement mechanisms. The first or characterspacing mechanism (not illustrated in detail) is utilized to control movements of the first carriage member 28 along the support rail 23, the actuating force necessary for such movement being provided by biasing means including a spring 38 which continually urges the carriage toward the right hand end of the support rail 23 as seen in Fig. 1. Operation of the escapement mechanism is controlled in a conventional manner from a keyboard 39, a portion of which is illustrated in Fig. 1. In addition, the escapement'mechanisrn includes a carriage release device which maybe utilized to release the carriage 27for movement to the extreme right hand end of the support rail 23 The carriage release is actuated by one of the keys on the keyboard 39. The carriage release portion of the escapement mechanism may also be mechanically connected to a tabulating device, of which only the tabulator actuating key 56 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8.

The carriage 27 also includes a line-spacing escapement mechanism 44. The moving force required for operation of this portion of the carriage mechanism is provided by a biasing spring 46 which normal-1y tends to impel the second carriage member 29 toward the embossing station 21 of the machine. Incremental movement of the second carriage member 29 in this direction is controlled by the escapement mechanism 44 as described in further detail hereinafter.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a limit stop device 50 is mounted upon the left-hand end of the support rail 23. The device 50 is utilized to limit movement of the carriage 27 toward the left, as seen in Fig. l. The limit each line of type characters or other embossures upon the of a plurality of dilferent'po sitions, dependingupoii the character-spacing and line length requirements of a particular embossing job.

The embossing machine is also provided with a second operating station 52, in this instance a plate-rolling station, which is located adjacent the right-hand end of the support rail 23 in spaced relation to the embossing station 21, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The plate-rolling mechanism of the station 52 may be of conventional construction; for example, the plate-rolling mechanism may be of the kind described in Patent No. 1,239,679 to Duncan, issued September 11, 1917. As illustrated in Fig. 1 the plate-rolling station comprises a horizontally extending arm 201 on which a roller assembly 202 is slidably mounted. Therolling station 52 also comprises a second horizontally extending arm 203 and a platen 204 is mounted thereon. The work holder and the carriage 27 may be utilized to position the printing plate 26 or like device in the plate-rolling station 52 in the usual 153 of the guide rail.

'vidual guide wheels 154 are mounted upon the lower carmanner to effect a rolling operation upon the printing plate after embossing. For this purpose, a limit stop 54 is mounted upon the right-hand end of the support rail 23t0 properly position the carriage for a plate-rolling operation. In addition, a latching mechanism may be provided for latching the carriage 27 in a plate-rolling position for this part of the operating cycle of the embossing machine 20. Instead of a plate rolling device, the second operating station may include a tipping device for plastic plates, or other mechanism for use in conjunction with the members being embossed.

- As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the lower carriage member 28 is supported upon the guide rail 23 by means of a pair of wheels 151'and 152 which engage a track portion In addition, a plurality of indiriage member in engagement with the vertical faces of It is the wheels or rollers 151, 152; and 154 which maintain the carriage in accurate alignment with respect to the rail 23 and the embossing 4 station 21 of the machine as the carriage moves along the rail for character spacing.

purpose,-the operating handle 34 is employed to move the work holder to its loading position and a printing imprinting plate or like device 25. Preferably, the stop 7 device 50 is adjustable to stop the carriage at anyone plate 26 :is then inserted between the jaws of the work holder. It should be understood that the term printing plate" as -employed throughout this specification and in the appended claims includes both metal and plastic printing devices and other similar devices which require embossure with individual type characters or the like.

Once the plate 26 has been inserted in the work holder. the operating handle 34 is employed to move the work holder 30 to its normal or embossing position, placing the plate in alignment with the embossing station 21. Thereafter, a keyboard carriage return key is depressed to move the carriage 27, in a manner to be discussed hereinbelow, to the extreme left-hand end of the support rail 23 (see Fig. 1) to a position determined by engagement with the limit stop mechanism 50. The carriage member 29 is advanced to'the first position of the line-spacing escapement mechanism 44 and the machine is then ready for an embossing operation.

During the embossing operation, a first line of type is embossed upon the plate 26 under the control of the character keys and the spacer keys of the keyboard 39 in conventional manner. When the first line is completed, the escapement mechanism 44 is actuated, as described hereinafter, to advance the carriage member 29 one line space into the embossing station 21 while the carriage is automatically'moved, again, to the initial linestarting position in which it engages the limit stop 50. This procedure is continued until the 'entire'desired'ines- In the course of the embossing operation, it may be desired to start different parts of the embossed data at given spaced points upon the printing plate. For this purpose, the tabulator mechanism of the machine is actuated by means of the tabulator key 56. Of course, character-spacing movement of the carriage 27 is effected, during the embossing operation, by the escapement mechanism, of the machine, which in turn is controlled by the character and space keys of the keyboard 39.

After the desired data has been embossed upon the printing plate 26 as described hereinabove, the carriage sage or other data is embossed upon the printing plate.

- one end of the shaft 116 and is preferably provided with 27 may be moved to a position adjacent the plate-rolling station 52, by actuation of one of the keys onthe keyboard 39. The position reached by the carriage is determined by the limit stop 54 and the carriage may be latched in position by the aforementioned latching device. and thereafter the carriage is returned in a manner to be hereinafter described to the initial line-starting position in which the carriage engages the limit stop 50.

As thus far described, the embossing machine corresponds to that disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending application, Serial No. 778,418, of Edwin C. Colyer and George W. Brown.

Upper carriage and line spacing escapement The work holder 30 for the embossing machine 20 is mounted upon and forms a part of the upper carriage member 29. The upper carriage member 29, in turn, is supported upon the lower carriage member 28 and is movable with respect to the lower carriage member, the

direction of movement being approximately normal to the The plate 26 is then rolled in the usual manner,

a spring latching arrangement engaging both the knob and the extension portion 117 of the upper carriage member 29 to prevent rotation of the knob and the shaft except when the knob is pulled outwardly of the extension portion 117. 1

Immediately below the escapement racks 111113, there is mounted a fixed shaft 121, this shaft being mounted upon the lower carriage member 28. An escapement pawl device 122 is mounted upon the shaft 121 for sliding movement thereon; a biasing spring 123, mounted upon the left-hand side of the shaft 121 as seen in Fig. 6, urges the pawl device122 to the right and hence toward a the normal or unactuated position shown in Fig. 6. The

By reference to Figs. 1, 4, and 6,. it is seen that a I pair of support and guide bars 100 and 101 are mounted upon the lower carriage member 28 and extend transversely thereof in a direction approximately normal to the guide rail 23. At the end of the carriage member 28 farthest from the guide rail 23, the rods 100 and 101 are mounted in a pair of bosses 102. Similarly, a pair of bosses 103 (only one is shown in the drawing Fig. l) are utilized to support the opposite ends of the rods 100 and 101. The two rods 100 and 101 extend through suitable apertures in the upper carriage member 29. Thus, the guide and support rods 100 and 101 serve to support the upper carriage member 29 and at the same time guide the upper carriage member for sliding movement in a direction normal to the guide rail 23. e

' As noted hereinabove, the biasing spring 46 is mounted upon the lower carriage member 28 and is connected to the upper carriage member 29. The spring 46,, which is substantially similar to the spring 38, exerts a continuous biasing force on the upper carriage member 29 urging the upper carriage member toward movement along the guides and 101 in the direction indicated in Figs.

4 and 7 by the arrow A. The spring 46 is supported upon a stub shaft 104 which is mounted in an extension portion 105 of the lower carriage member 28. On the the indicator 106 projects over a character and line-spacin: index scale 109 (see Fig. 6).

pawl device 122 includes a pair of escapement pawls 124 and 125 which extend upwardly toward engagement with the escapement racks. As indicated in Fig. 7, the two pawls 124 and 125 are not aligned with each other but rather are displaced from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft 116.

A link member is slidably mounted on the shaft 121 on the side of the pawl device opposite that engaged by the spring 123. In the position illustrated in Figs. 4, 6, and 7, the spring biases the pawl device 122 to the right toward a position wherein the link member 155 abuts a surface 156, which is fixed with respect to the shaft 121. In .this position, the pawl 124 is aligned with the lugs on the escapement rack 112. At its opposite end the link member 155. is aflixed to a rod 157 which,

in turn, is slidably received within opposite sides of the carriage member 29. The rod 157 is biased to the right,

as viewed in Fig. 4, by a spring 158 seated on a vertically extending face of the carriage and engaging in an inner annular collar provided by a cap 159 formed at one end of the shaft. Thus, both the springs 158 and 123 bias the pawl device 122 to the right and toward the position illustrated. The rod 157 extends across the carriage 27, asviewed in Fig. 4, beyond the left-hand side of the carriage member 29, and a bracket 161 is mounted on the left-hand end of the rod. The bracket 161 is provided with. a recessed guide 162 (Fig. 5) which engages the rail 153 formed on the frame member 23. A tape 163,

as best seen in Figs. 1 and 6, is attached to the bracket 161 i and is automatically actuated, by means described hereinafter, to move the carriage 27 leftwardly against the force of spring 38 and also to move the pawl device 122 leftwardly within the carriage 27 against the forces of springs 123 and 158.

In considering the operation of the escapement mechanism 44, it may first be assumed that the upper carriage member 29 is initially located at the rear or outer end of its travel on the lower carriage member 28. Furthermore, it may be assumed that the three escapement racks are in the position illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 with the rack 112 disposed immediately below the shaft 116. Starting from this position, the spring 46 drives the upper carriage member 29 toward the embossing machine, as indi cated by arrow A, until the first lug or projection 134 on the rack 112 engages the pawl 124. The engagement of these two members determines the first line position for embossing and thus conditions the carriage 27 for embossure of a first line of data upon the plate 26 (see Fig. 4).

After the first line of data has been embossed, automatic carriage return means including the tape 163 are actuated to returnthe carriage 27 to its initial, starting embossing position in a manner to be more fully described carriage member to move onlya relatively short distance hereinaften and also to actuate thees capement mecha- 1 spring 1838 may be inte rposed .between the nioiinting bracket 182 and the connecting rod 183 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The take-up spool 167 is concentoward the embossing station. When the tension in the 'tape 163 is released, the spring 123 forces thepawl device 122 back toward the right, as seen in' Fig. 6. Moveover, the movement of the pawl device 122 back to its original position releases the pawl 125 from its engagement with the escapement lug 134. Consequently, the upper carriage member 29 is permitted to move an additional distance toward the embossing station of the machine until that 'movement is interrupted by engagement of the pawl 124 with the next escapement lug 136. In this manner, the upper carriage member is advanced one complete line space into the embossing machine and the machine is thus conditioned for a second line of embossure.

With the upper carriage member 29 in position for embossing of the first line on the plate 26, the indicator 106 is aligned with the first index line 138 on the indicator 109. As long as the upper carriage member remains in this position, the indicator does not changeits location, vertically, on the index scale. As soon as the line spacing escapement mechanism is actuated to move the upper carriage member 29 to the second line position, however, as described hereinafter, the indicator 106 advances into registry with the second index line 139 on the scale 109. The movement of the indicator 106 occurs automatically, since the indicator is connected with the actuating spring 46 and moves with the spring as the spring drives the upper carriage member 29 forwardly in the direction indicated by arrow A (Fig.

With the upper carriage member 29 in position for the embossure of a second line of data on plate 26, the machine operator is, of course, able to carry out the embossing of this portion of the plate. When this has been accomplished, the tape 163 may again be placed in tension to displace the pawl device 122 to the left, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6, and the tension may thereafter be released to complete another line-spacing movement of the escapement mechanism 44 in the same manner as described above. As a consequence, the pawl 124 is brought into engagement with the third escapement lug 141 on the rack 112 and the plate 26 is positioned for embossure of a third line of data thereon. At the same time, of course, the indicator 106 moves into registration with a third index position 142 on the scale 109.

The carriage return mechanism In accordance with this invention the embossing machine is provided with automatically actuated carriage return means which include the tape 163, the bracket member 161, the rod 157, the end cap 159, and the link described hereinabove with relation to the upper carriage and line-spacing escapement. As is seen with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the tape 163 is passed over a first tape guide Wheel 164 which is mounted on a forward portion of one of the frame members 24. The tape 163 thereafter extends diagonally downward and to the rear along the side of the embossing machine 20 and is passed over a second tape guide roller 165. From the guide roller 165 the tape extends in a generally horizontal direction and passes over a switch 181 and beneath a roller 166 to a take-up spool 167. As best seen in Fig; 3 the tape curves upwardly in that portion disposed between the roller 166'and the take-up spool 167. The roller 166 is -isar e i hi a a k 3*? we iuhishti turn, i

mounted on a rod 1 83 connected to the switch 181 A trically disposed with relation to a continuously rotating sha ft 168, which may, for example, comprise the main drive shaft of the embossing machine. As viewed in Figs.

2 and 3 the shaft 168 rotates in a counterclockwise direction.

A clutch 169 having an end plate 169A is provided for selectively rotating the take-up spool 167 with the shaft 168. The clutch 169 may be a friction-plate device of conventional construction, and hence is not described in detail herein. Other conventional kinds of clutches may also be employed if desired. For example, an electrically operated magnetic clutch maybe utilized, if desired, in which case the solenoid operating mechanism described hereinafter may be omitted.

An electrical solenoid 170 is mounted on a bracket 171 afiixed to the base frame 20Fof the embossing machine 20 by a plurality of cap screws 1718 and has a plunger 172, as best shown in Fig. 3, connected by means of a spring 173 to an adjustable stud 174.. The stud 174 is mounted on one arm of a bell crank 175. Electrical lines 170L connect the solenoid with a control relay, not visible in the perspective views. The bell crank175 is mounted on the base frame of the embossing machine 20 upon a vertically extending post 176 and is freely rotatable about the upper end of the post'176 at the central portion of bell crank 175. One arm of the bell crank engages the clutch 169 and is operative to push on the end plate 169A of the clutch and thereby cause the take-up spool 167 to rotate with the rotating shaft 168 whenever the solenoid 170 is energized.

The solenoid plunger 172 is also provided with a vertically extending arm and a threaded lug screw 186 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm 185. The lug 186 is passed through a bracket member 187 which is afiixed to the base frame 20F of the embossing machine. A nut 188 is adjustable on the lug screw 186 and coacts with the bracket member 187 to provide an adjustable stop for the solenoid plunger.

In the operation of the above described parts, energization of the solenoid 170 is effective to retract the plunger 172 within the solenoid and exert a force on the bell crank 175 to rotate the bell crank about the axis of the supporting post 176, in a counterclockwise manner as viewed in Fig. 2, so that the bell crank exerts a force on the plate 169A to engage the clutch 169. Engagement of the clutch 169 causes the take-up spool 167 to rotate with the shaft 168. As viewed in Fig. 2, the shaft and the take-up spool rotate in'a counterclockwise direction. Such rotation of the take-up spool 167 winds-up the tape 163 about the spool to pull the tape over the guide rollers 165 and 164. The tape 163, through the connection to the bracket member 161, moves the rod 157 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6, within the carriage 27 to compress springs 158 and 123 and displace the pawl device 122 leftwardly as described hereinabove. Continued rotation of the take-up spool causes the end cap 159 of the rod 157 to exert a force on the carriage 27 to return the carriage to the starting position for a line embossing operation wherein the carriage 27 abuts the adjustable stop 50.

Engagement of the carriage 27 with the adjustable stop 50 restricts further movement of the carriage and continued rotation of the take-up spool 167 causes an increased tension to be developed "within the tape 163. This increased tension tends to cause the portion of the tape 163 disposed between the guide roller 165 and the take-up spool 167 to straighten and move the roller 166 vertically upwardly in the direction B as indicated in Fig. 3. This upward movement of the roller 166 is transin a manner to be explained more fully withtefereiiee to x 9 the schematic control circuit in Fig. 9. De-energization of the solenoid 170 releases the pressure on the clutch and permits the clutch 169 to disengage, elfectively disconnecting the take-up spool 167 from the shaft 168, and thereby permitting the tape 163 to go slack. Such decrease in the tension in the tape 163 permits the springs 158 and 123 to shift the pawl device 122 to the right, as

illustrated in Fig. 4, thereby permitting the upper carriage 29 to be advanced one line space in the manner described hereinabove with relation to the operation of the pawl and escapement mechanism. The spring 183$ may be adjusted to prevent the release switch 181 from being pulling the carriage.

For the purpose of energizing the solenoid 170 there are provided two separate switches which are connected in parallel so that either switch can energize the solenoid.

actuated by the tape on the initial impact of the clutch I The first of these switches is manually actuated by .de-

pressing a carriage return key mounted on the keyboard 39 of the embossing machine. As best seen in Fig. 8, a carriage return key 191 is mounted on an arm 195 and is positioned on the keyboard between the tabulating key 56 and the back space key 192. A normally open switch 193, having an actuating button 194 projecting from the upper surface of the switch, is positioned directly below the arm 195 of the carriage return key. The switch is provided with electrical lines 193L for connecting the switch to the solenoid'energizing relay. Thus, upon the operator momentarily depressing the carriage return key, the lower edge of the arm 195 engages the button 194 and tactsof the switch 211 are maintained open. Movement sure of a second line, it is only necessary to depress the carriage return key 191 (Fig. 8), momentarily closing the switch 193. With the switch 193 closed, an energizing circuit is completed from the bus 222 through the switch and through the operating coil 224 to the second bus 221. Consequently, the relay 223 is actuated, closing both sets of contacts 225 and 226. The closing of the contacts 225 establishes a holding circuit for the relay, so that when the switch 193 is opened the relay remains in its energized or actuated condition. Closing of the contacts 226, on the other hand, energizes the solenoid 170 to eifect a return movement of the carriage 27 in the manner described in detail hereinabove.

When the carriage 27 engages the adjustable stop device 50 (see Fig. 1) the tension in the tape 163 increases. Consequently, the guide roller 166 is lifted (see Fig. 2) opening the normally closed switch 181. When the switch 181 opens, the holding circuit for the relay 'coilf224 is broken, the relay is de-energized, and both sets of relay contacts 225 and 226 return to their normal open position. Accordingly, the operating circuit for the solenoid 170 is opened and the solenoid is de-energized, relieving the tension applied to the tape 163.

. When a plate, such as the plate 26 shown in Fig. 4, is completely embossed, the operator may press the car ria'ge release key 'of the keyboard, as described hereinabove, releasing the carriage '27 to move to the right 30 closes the contacts within the switch 193 to energize the solenoid 170 and cause the carriage 27 to be returned of the roller unit 202 inwardly, or to the left, as, illustrated energizing the solenoid 170 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 9. As shown therein, the control circuit comprises a control relay 223 having an operating coil 224 and two pairs of normally open contacts 225 and 226. The power supply for the control circuit is generally indicated by i the two, electrical mains or buses 221 and 222.

. ,One terminal of the operating coil 224 is connected to the electrical main 221, and the othcr terminal 227 of the coil is returned to the bus 222 through a circuit in which the carriage return switch 193 is interposed in series. The operating coil terminal 227 is also returned to the main 222 through a parallel circuit comprising the switch 211;

thus, the two switches 193 and 211 are connected in parallel with each other. In addition, the operating coil terminal 227 is connected to the bus 222 through a series circuit comprising the normally open relay contacts 225 and the switch 181 to aiford a holding circuit for the relay. The solenoid 170, on the other hand, is connected across the two supply lines 221 and 222 in series with the .other normally open contacts 226 of the controlrelay 223. If; an electrically operated clutch, such as a magnetic clutch, is employed, it is connected in the circuit in place of the solenoid 170.

To initiate operation of the control circuit illustrated the embossing of one line and desires to initiate embost The electrical control circuit for energizing and deand into alignment with the plate-rolling station 52 (Fig. 1). With the carriage in this position, the plate-rolling mechanism is actuated, moving the rolling unit 202 across the plate as described hereinabove. As the unit 202 completes the rolling operation, the switch 211 is closed, completing an energizing circuit for the operating coil 224 of the control relay 223. The switch 211 stays closed for only a relatively short period, but this is sufficient to actuate the relay 223 and to establish a holding circuit therefor in the same manner as described hereinabove in connection with the switch 193. Thus, closing of either of the two switches 193 and 211 is elfective to return the carriage to its initial or starting position against the stop device; the carriage return circuit is automatically deenergized when the carriage engages the stop device. 7

Thus, the invention provides an automatic carriage return for returning the embossing machine carriage to the starting position for each line embossing operation, and for automatically advancing the plate holder carriage one line space toward the embossing station upon completion of the return movement The carriage return operates independently of any variation in the location of the starting position. The electrical con- 1 trol circuit permits the carriage return to be actuated 7 basic modification of such embossing machines.

Hence, While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification,

I in Fig. 9, either the switch 193 or the switch 211 may be closed." ,For example, when the operator has completed I a frame member extending between the working station and the plate rolling station, a carriage mounted messa e movablealong theframe rolling station, stop means adjacent the embossing station and engageable with the carriage for positioning the carriage at the embossing station, and means for automatically returning the carriage from the rolling station to thestop means upon completion of a plate rolling operation comprising a spool, means for selectively engaging the spool for rotation with the shaft, and a flexible connector attached to the carriage and the spool.

2. In an embossing machine of the kind having a rotating shaft, an embossing station, a second operating station, a frame member, a carriage including a work holder mounted on-the frame member and movable along the frame member in an incremental manner past the embossing station, and to the second operating station, and stop means mounted adjacent the embossing station and engageable with the carriage for positioning 7 the carriage at a starting position with respect to the embossing station; means for returning the carriage to the starting position from any point in the travel of the carriage between the starting position and the second operating station comprising a spool and a tape connected to the spool and the carriage, a clutch for engaging the spool for rotation with the rotating shaft to wind the tape aboutthe spool and retract the carriage along the frame member and into engagement with the stop means, and an electrically energized solenoid connected to said clutch to actuate the clutch and rotate the spool.

3. In an embossing machine of the kind having a rotating shaft, an embossing station, a second operating station, a frame member, a carriage including a work means for returning the carriage to the starting position from any point in the travel of the carriage between the starting position and the second operating station comprising a spool and a tape connected to the spool and the carriage, a clutch for engaging the spool for 'rotation with the rotating shaft to wind the tape about the spool and retract the carriage along the frame member and into engagement with the stop means, a solenoid connected to said clutch to actuate the clutch and rotate the spool, a manually actuatable switch for energizing the solenoid, and switch means responsive to a predetermined amount of tensionin the tape for de-energizing the solenoid upon engagement of the carriage with the adjustable stop means.

'4. In an embossing machine having a keyboard, a rotating shaft, an embossing station, a plate-rolling station, a frame member, a carriage including a work holder mounted on the frame member and movable along the frame member between the embossing station and the plate-rolling station, and stop means mounted adjacent the embossing station and engageable with the carriage for positioning the carriage at a starting position with respect to the embossing station; means for returning the carriage to the starting position from any point in the travel of the carriage between the starting position and the plate-rolling station comprising a spool and a tape connected to the spool and the carriage, a clutch for engaging the spool for rotation with the rotating to actuate the clutch and rotate the spool upon energization of the solenoid, a relay for energizing the solenoid,

12 a normally open switch manually actuatable fromthe keyboard for energizing the relay, and a normally closed release switch actuatable by the tape for de-energizing the relay.

5. In an embossing machine of the kind having a rotating shaft, an embossing station, a second operating station disposed in spaced relation to said embossing station and including a movable operating member, a frame member extending between the embossing station and the second operating station, a carriage mounted on the frame-member and movable along the frame member between the embossing station and the second operating station, and stop means mounted adjacent the embossing station and engageable with the carriage for determining the starting position of the carriage at the embossing station; means for automatically returning the carriage from any location on the frame member to the starting position determined by the stop means comprising aspool, a tape attached to the spool and the carriage, electrically actuated means for engaging the spool for rotation with the 'shaft upon energizing of said electrically actuated means,

a first manually actuatable switch for energizing the electrically actuated means, a second switch mounted adjacent the second operating station for actuation by said movable operating member and connected in parallel with said first switch for energizing said electrically actuated means, and a third switch actuatable in response to engagement of the carriage with the stop means for deenergizing the electrically actuated means.

6. An embossing machine comprising an embossing station including punch and die means for embossing a plate member, a frame member, a carriage mounted on the frame member and movable along the frame member in an incremental manner during an embossing operation and movable to a plate-rolling station at the completion of an embossing operation, a plate holder mounted on said carriage for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the carriage, pawl and escapement mechanism for maintaining the plate holder at any one of a plurality of fixed positions with respect to the carriage to permit a plurality of parallel lines of data to be embossed on a plate, stop means adjacent the embossing station and engageable with the carriage for positioning the carriage at the embossing station, and means for automatically returning the carriage to the starting position determined by the stop means from any point in the travel of the carriage between the starting position and the plate-rolling station and concurrently actuating said pawl and escapement mechanism to advance said plate holder toward said-embossing station.

7. An embossing machine comprising a rotating shaft, an embossing statio'n including punch and die means for embossing a plate member, a plate-rolling station including a platen and roller means for rolling an embossed plate, a frame member extending between the embossing station and the plate-rolling station, a carriage mounted on the frame member and movable along the frame member between the embossing station and the plate-rolling statio'n, a plate holder mounted on said carriage for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the carriage, pawl and escapement mechanism for maintaining the plate holder at any one of a plurality of fixed positions with respect to the carriage to permit a plurality of parallel lines of data to be embossed on a plate, stop means adjacent the embossing station and engageable with the carriage for positioning the carriage at the embossing station, and automatic means for returning the carriage from any location on the frame member to the starting position. determined by the stop means and concurrently actuating said pawl and escapement mechanism to advance said plate holder toward said embossing station, said automatic means including a take 'il'p spool having afiexibleconnection-to'said cah iage and a solenoid operative when energized to engage the spool for rotation with the shaft.

8. An embossing machine having an embossing station, a plate-rolling station including roller means for rolling an embossed .plate, a carriage movable from an adjustable starting position at the embossing station, past the embossing station during an embossing operation, and to the plate-rolling station, a solenoid actuated au'to'matic carriage return for automatically'returning the carriage to the starting position from any point in the travel of 10 the carriage between the starting position and the platerolling station, and an electrical control system for energizing said solenoid comprising a relay having a coil and first and second normally open pairs of contacts actuated to a closed position by energization of the relay coil, said first pair of contacts being connectable in series with said solenoid, a normally open, manually actuatable switch for energizing the relay coil and connected in series with said relay coil and in parallel with the second pair of cdntacts, a normally open switch actuatable by the roller means for energizing the relay coil and connected in series with said relay coil and in parallel with the manually actuatable switch, and a normally closed release switch connected in series with said second pair of contacts for de energizing the relay coil and tie-energizing the solenoid upon return of the carriage to the starting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 473.236 Reed Apr. 19, 1892 1,386,387 Waldheim Aug. 2, 1921 1,509,228 Carino Sept. 23, 1924 2,498,038 Gruver Feb. 21, 1950 2,528,435 Isett Oct. 31, 1950 2,892,528 Breitling et al. June 30, 1959 

